Apparatus for cleaning air



Nov. Z, 193,9. T. w. HALLERBERG APPARATUS FOR CLEANING 'AIR Filed Nov. 25, 1935 Sheets-Sheet 1 C7 eff dare/#Waff Nov. 7, 1939. T v wl HALLERBERG A2,179,229

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AIR Filed Nv. `25V, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z v F El ds a 5f f a I f5 TZ/ I if r if www@ Patented Nov. 7, Y.1939

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE e APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AIR ware Application November 25, 1935, Serial' No. 51,398

claims. 4 (c1. 121-194) |lhis invention relates to `improvements in an paratns for cleaning air', and more particularly to an air cleaner for dispositionover orl connection'to an air intake, the cleaner being highly 5 desirable for use in connection with the air intake of a crank case ventilation system, although the invention will have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

It has now become substantially universally recognized that the most efcient type of air cleaner for use in connection with internal combastion` engines is the so-called liquid bath type, wherein a cleansing liquid is utilized. Such air cleaners, insofar as I am aware, have bactefore been used only with the intake conduit of a carbureter, the intake of an air compressor, or Sonie other such installation, but they have not been used with a crank case breather pipe or -With the intake pipe for a crank case ventilation system. This was due in the main to the fact that in most instances such air cleaners are. dependent upon a higher degree of suction than is obtainable in a crank case for the eflicienty operation of the cleaner. I am aware that certain types of cleaners have been provided for crank casebreather pipes, but these cleaners `have operated at much below satisfactory efciency, and in certain instances, a complete breathing action, including both inhalation and exhalation through the same opening, was needed in the crank case of an internal combustion engine. therefore operate satisfactorily in connection with crank case ventilation as distinguished from 'crank case breathing.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a liquid bath air cleaner highly efficient -in operation in connection with either a crank case breather i0 piipe or the intake 'pipe for crank case ventila- Oli.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an air'cleaner for association with an operable mechanism, and which is highly eiiicient in operation, evenvhen the volume of air passing therethrough is extremely small.

Also an object of this invention is the provision or. an. air cleaner including both a lter and a 5 cleansing liquid, and wherein the lter is both" 55 iat-la high degree of eiiiciency regardless of the Such breather type cleaners would not` suction created in the mechanism or the volume of air passing through the cleaner.-

It is a `further object of this invention to provide an economical air cleaner highly enicient in operation in .connection with a crank case venti- 5 lation system.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an air cleaner embodying a iilter element disposed across the air path through the cleaner and wherein the inherent resiliencyv of 10 the Viilter element is relied upon to effect a tignt seal.

Also a feature of this invention is the provision of an air cleaner embodying both a screen type lter element and a cleansing liquid, the 15 arrangementv being such that a thin film of cleansing liquid is being continually made and broken .on the screen during the .operation of the cleaner. y

An important feature of the invention is the 20 provision of an air cleaner for association with the crank case ventilation system of an internal combustion engine, and whereinv a substantially horizontal screen filtering element is disposed in such proximity to a cleansing liquid that sta- 25 tionary waves caused by the operation of the engine will cause ythe liquid to wash the screen. It is also an object of this invention to pro- Avide an Jair cleaner having a relatively large inlet substantially in the form of a scoop. 30

While some of the more 'salient features,.char acteristics and advantages of the present invention have been hereinabove pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the 'accom- 35 panying drawings, in which: A

Figure 1 is a yfragmentary diagrammatic view in elevation of an internal combustion engine, showing the same equipped with an air cleaner embodying principles ofthe present invention. 40

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the air cleaner alone, with parts broken away.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view o! the air I cleaner, taken, substantially as indicated by the, line- III-III of Figure 2, with parts shown in elevation. n

Figure fi is a vertical sectional view of an air cleaner of the same type as-.is shown in Figures 2 and 3, biit embodying a slightly dlrterent forni of mounting means. 5i.

Figure 5 is a centralvertical sectional view of a different form oi air cleaner embodying principles of the present invention, showing parts in elevation.

Figure 6 is a plan sectlonai view of the air 55 cleaner of Figure 5, taken substantially as indicated by the staggered section line VI-VI of Figure 5.

As shown on the drawings:

The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is shown associated with the crank case Ventilation system of an in- I The outlet pipe 3 is provided with an obliquely cut end 3a, so that there will be a suction or aspiration of air from the pipe 3 due to the engine fan and the forward movement of the car with which the engine is associated. An air cleaner, generally indicated by numeral 5 is shown mounted upon the crank case inlet pipe 2, which, in this instance, is also the pipel through -Which the engine is provided with crank case lubricant. I

With reference to Figure 3, it will be seen that the air cleaner 5 includes a casing comprising two sections, an upper section 6 and a lower section 'I. The lower casingsection l is preferably of one piece lof material in the form of an annular U, having an outer wall 8 and an inner wall 9, the latter defining the outlet passage from the cleaner. The )Valls 9 and 9 are preferably concentric so that the outlet passage defined by the wall 9 is centrally disposed relatively to the cleaner. At the upper region thereof, the wall 9 is inset to form an annular shoulder I0 for a purpose that will later appear.

Preferably spot-welded to the lower casingsection 'l is an outlet conduit member Ii sized for an intimate telescopic lit over the upper end of the intake pipe 2 of the engine or, if desired, this conduit II may be press-fitted over or into the intake pipe 2 so as not to warrant removal of the lower casing section from -the intake pipe. The upper casing section 9 is substantially in the form of a dome top having a skirt I2 dependingtherefrom for intimate association with the outer wall of the lower section.

Both the skirt I2 and upper portion of the side wall 8 are deformed, as indicated at I3, to provide a bayonet slot connection between the two casing sections, the upper casing section having spaced projections I4 thereon to provide nger holds for manipulating the upper casing section to engage it with and disengage it from' the lower casing section. Immediately above the bayonet slot connection, the upper casing section is beaded, as indicated at I5,

merely for purposes of decoration in tending to conceal the connection 'and also for the purpose of limiting the downward movement of the upper section relatively to the lower section so that the parts may be more easily joined.

In the high part of the dome portion thereof, the upper casing section is provided with a seriesjiof openings I6 through which air enters the cleaner. Tl'iese openings are protected by a shield-.II which prevents debris from falling into the cleaner. Disposed above the shield I'I is a hook I8 Vby means of which the upper casing section may be hung upon the tie rod beneath the engine hood of an automotive vehicle or Y on some other suitable object when removed from the lower section.VV l

Inside the upper casinglsection is, a domeshaped member I9 -which functions as a filter .f

holdeand also as a partition member to dene a definite course of travel for air passing through the cleaner. This member I9 is of such a size as to extend outwardly well beyond the outer edges of the openings I6 and provide a relatively narrow annular passage 20 between itself and the skirt I2 for incoming air. 'I'he hook I8, shield Il, upper casing section and the member I9 are all centrally securely held together by a rivet 2i or equivalent securing means.

A filter element 22 is carried by the member I9, a plurality of layers of screen, such as window screen, being one form of element suitable for this purpose. When a screen of this character is used, it is preferable that each layer. be slightly waved or otherwise deformed so that there is no tendency for the layers to pack together, and the respective layers are progressively staggered. The member I9 is provided on its outer edge with a depending formation 23 in the form of an internal annular channel for holding the filter element 22. Likewise, a similar channel member 24 is in engagement with the` lter element through the central aperture in the element, this holding member 26 being seated upon the aforesaid shoulder Ill when the filter is in place.

From the showing in Figure 3, it will be noted that the filter element 22 is substantially horizontally disposed, but slopes slightly upwardly and inwardly. This slight slope is .purposely designed in the structure as an aid to securing an effective seal between the holding member 2t and the shoulder I9 so that air will not pass therebetween but must pass through the lter. 'Ihe construction is such that when the upper casing section together with the filter and member I9 is placedvon the lower section and secured thereto by means of the bayonet connection i3, the holding member 2d will strike ther shoulder I0 just prior to the connection being effected. Thus, the inner portion of the screen will be deflected upwardly when connection is established between the two casing sections and the seal is maintained by means of the inherent resiliency of the screen.

In operation, the cleaner ishighly eicient. Air must enter through the openings |6, pass downwardly over the upper face. of the domeshaped member I 9, through the relatively narrow annular channel 2U, curve upwardly through the filter 22, and again reverse direction and pass through the outlet I I, being guided in this movement by the inside surface of the member I9. When the cleaner is used in connection with the intake to a crank case ventilation system, as shown in the drawings, there will not be a suiiicient quantity of air passing through the cleaner to turbulate or otherwise disturb a cleansing liquid 25 contained in the lower ca g section, preferably to a'- level dened by a external bead 26 on this casing section. H wever, the arrangement is such that the filter\ 22 is disposed in such `proximity to the liquid' level that the filter will be eifectively,washed by stationary waves set up; in the liquid as a result of operation of the internal combustion engine. The cleansing liquid is preferably oil of the characterputjmthe crank case and it will therefore be seen that during the passage of air through the cleaner, a lm of oil is being continuously made and broken over the surface of the lter,

resulting in an effective cleansing of the air,-

and due to the action of the afcresaid stationary waves, all of the dirt and debris removed In view of the 'narrow passage 2li and the fact that the inlet openings I6 are disposed inwardly so as to leave ample imperforate surface of the upper casing section 6 over the inlet 20, there will be no danger of any of the cleansing liquid splashing out of the cleaner through the inletI path regardless of the terrain over which the 10. vehicle may travel.

In' Figure 4, I have shown a slightly different form of attachment means for the cleaner. In this instance, the cleaner structure itself is identical with that shown in Figures 2 and 3. To

provide attachmentover an intake 2, for example, to a crank case ventilation system, a clamping yoke 21 is preferably spot-welded or otherwise secured to the inner wall 9 of the lower casing section above the shoulder ID. This clamping yoke includes-a pair of resilient legs being outwardly deflected as at 28, and having an obliquely extending portion 29 below the deflection. The entire cleaner may therefore be pushed vover the intake 2, as clearly seen in Figure 4, with the legs of the yoke inside the intake conduit, these legs `establishing a grippingupon the intake conduit between themselves and the inner wall 9 of the lower casing section. With this construction, the entire cleaner may readily 30 be removed from the intake pipe, and as before explained, the upper casing section may be removed from the lower by a suitable operation of the bayonet slot connection. The cleaner structure itself shown in Figure 4 operates the same Y as described hereinabove in connection with the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3.

In connection with both the, cleaners shown in Figures `3 and 4, it will be noted that the upper edge of the outside wall 8 of the lower casing .10 section is in a plane slightly lower than the upper edge of the inside wall 9. This construction is designed to preventa filling station attendant from carelessly pouring oil into the cleaner rather than through the central opening directly into pipe 2 leading to the crank case. If the filling station attendant is careless and pours into the lower casing section, `the oil will overflow outside rather than inside, calling attention to theV fact that the proper oil level in the cleaner has been -altered and forcing the attendant to fill the crank vease with .lubricant in the proper manner.

In Figures 5 and 6, I have shown a slightly different form of cleaner, but one that will operate with the saine degree of efficiency. In some instances, itmay be deemed desirable to provide a cleaner somewhat in the form of a scoop disposed in the path of adirect blast of air from the engine fan so as to insure an adequate supply of air for effective crank case ventilation.

In this instance, a conduit 30.*which may be the intake to the crank case of an internal combusticn engine or which may be a part of the cleaner for intimate'telescopict in connection with the intake vtothe crank case is provided with a spider or yoke 3| preferably spot-welded to the inside face of the conduit. This yoke is formed forv a threaded connectlonfwiththe lower end of a. fastening bolt 32.' 'Ihe cleaner includes 'a lower section 33 and van uppersection 34 selectively separable therefrom."-.' 1'h e lower section is formed to provide an annular liquid sump around the inner wall 36. The .inner Wallis reduced in 7;, diameter in the upper portion thereof to provide to support a filter element as will later appear. The outer wall 351s outwardly flanged as at 38 at the pperend thereof to provide a seat for a peripheral `gasket 39. l

Both the upper casing section 34 and the lower casingsection 33 are somewhat rectangular in shape, (as shown, or they' may besomewhat triangular in shape; `in order to provide a relatively wide inlet opening 40. 'The upper casing section is peripherally stepped outwardly and downwardly, as indicatedatjl, to overlie the aforesaid gasket 39 and the-edge of the lower casing section, as

. seen clearly in Figure 5. The upper casing section is removablyheld in vposition and clamps down uponthe gasket 39 by means of a thumb nut 42 connected with the aforesaid bolt 32 externally of the casing.

Inside thecasing, a shield or baille 43 defines a pathfor incoming air through the upper Cesng section to lthe rear-.portion of the cleaner, this shield effectively blocking any direct descent of incoming air inside the opening 49, but leaving a passage 44'at the rear of the cleaner. At the rear side thereof, the shield 43 is deformed as at 4G which is centrally apertured to t over the upper-end of the inner wall36 of the lower section and restupon the aforesaid shoulder 31. The baille 43 together with the filter element is held downwardly to establish a proper seal ad jacent the shoulder 31 by means of a collar 48 securedto the bolt 32. When the bolt is tightened in position inside the yoke 3|, it will be seen that the collar 48 will effectively press the baflie 43 and filter downwardly into position.

The lower casing section is shaped to hold a cleansing liquid preferably to a level substantially as indicated by the' dotted line-49 which is in such proximity to the filter 46 that stationary waves set up by the operation of the internal combustion engine will effectively wash the filter.

Incoming air enters through the opening 40, passes rearwardly over the baille 43, and descends through the opening 44 at the rear of the cleaner, passing upwardly through the filter 46 beneath the baille 43`and downwardly through the outlet. The cleansing action is the same as hereinabove described in connection with the showing in Figures 2 and 3.`

If the conduit 3|)4 is the intake to the crank caseV of the internal combustion engine, the cleaner is effectively clampedfthereon by means of the bolt 3 2 andth-umbniit 42. The release of the thumbnut 42 and the disengagemen .of the bolt 32 from the ybke 3| permits the entire cleaner to-be removed from the conduit 3 On the other hand, if the conduit 30 is a part f the cleaner, it may be spot' Welded to 'the inner wall.

3E of the lower casing section, ,and the entire cleaner may be removed by disengaging the conduit 30 from the intake to the crank case.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided an air cleaner highly desirable for use-inconnection with'a crank case ventilation system. The air cleaner is highly eicient in action, removing substantially all dirt and debrisV from entering air and relying upon a new princonduit 30 and includes an outel wall 35 and a 'i ciple of operation namely lthewasmng of the filter by stationary Waves devfiied in aliquid sump by means of operationof an internal coman annular substantially horizontal shoulder 31 cleaner is compact inform, requires little space,

and may be economically manufactured and used. I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be` tionship thereto, a lter element carried at one edge thereof by said member, and the other casing section having a seat for the other edge of said element disposed slightly higher than the carried end whereby When said casing sections are joined va seal is eiected between said iilter element and said seat by the inherent resiliency of said lter element. s

2. In an air cleaner, a casing comprising separable sectionsa lter element carriedvin one of said sections by a margin and having a free margin, and the other section having a seat for the free margin of said element suic'iently out of line to slightly warp said element when the sections are joined to provide a seal by the inherent re-` siliency of said element.

3. In an air cleaner, a casing having an inlet, outlet conduit means opening through the bottom of the casing, said casing being shaped to provide a liquid sump around said conduit means, a shoulder on said conduit means, imperforate baille means dening a path from said'inlet to said conduit means, a filter element around said conduit with one margin seated on said shoulder and the other margin held by said baille means,

said shoulder being suiiiciently out of line with the holding part of said baille means to cause a warping of said filter element.

4. -In an air cleaner, ya casing having an inlet and an outlet, batlie meansin said c'asing defining a path from the inlet to the outlet, and alresilient lter element across said passage and disposed in a warped position to effect a seal by the resiliency of said element.

5. In an air cleaner, a casing having an inlet and an outlet, imperforate means dening a path for air traveling from the inlet to the outlet, said casing having a liquid sump therein, and a resilient lter element disposed in a warped posi,- l

tion across said path to eiect a seal with the aid of the resiliency of the filter element, said filter element being spaced from the liquid in said sump lbut sufficiently close thereto to be washed by liquid agitated by vibration..

THEODORE W. ERG. 

